3 Million Teenagers To Be Offered Meningitis Vaccine

All teenagers aged between 14 to 18 are to be offered a meningitis vaccine after an alarming rise in cases.

In the last five years, there has been a five-fold increase of a 'highly aggressive' subtype of the disease which has led to the Department of Health making an emergency ruling to immunise three million teens.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation told the Department of Health that the steep rise in cases of meningococcal W disease was 'of great concern'.

It stated that 'levels of disease were consistent with an outbreak situation, with cases and deaths occurring in all age ranges, constituting a public health emergency'.

Until recently the strain had mainly affected the elderly, but the new bacterium is causing severe disease in teenagers and young adults.

Last year there were 117 cases, compared with 22 in 2009, the report shows, and in the last two years, there have been 24 deaths, compared with around four a year until 2012.

The committee said all 14 to 18-year-olds should be offered the immunisation to prevent transmission of MenW disease.

It said there was strong evidence that risks increased in late adolescence, so offering the jab before then was the 'minimum needed to rapidly generate herd protection'.

The Department of Health confirmed it would implement a vaccination programme, which it has been asked to do 'as soon as possible'.

Health officials were unable to say when this would be, but it is likely the jabs will be offered through schools over the next year.

Andrew Pollard, chairman of the JCVI said: "We have seen an increase in MenW cases this winter caused by a highly aggressive strain of the bug.

"We reviewed the outbreak in detail at JCVI and concluded that this increase was likely to continue in future years unless action is taken."

Health officials stressed that the total number of cases and overall risk remains low.

Signs of meningitis vary but can include fever or vomiting, a stiff neck and severe headache.

If a rash is present, and does not disappear when a glass is present, it can indicate blood poisoning, which is a medical emergency.